elleah

Kelly over at southersoapers has some great oil soluble colorants. And so far no trouble with them morphing into something else like the micas can.

Hey master - the oil is like a weird green/red color. Like one of those funky cars that depending on which way you look at it, it changes colors. In lotions and serum, it turns it a greyish green color. In my silken mist (like a dry oil spray) it turns it a red/burgundy color.

This season, I added a whole pumpkin seed oil line to my products. Same basic recipes (scrub, lotion, facial serum, masque, etc) but all made with some pumpkin seed oil. It's such an awesome oil, and people love the idea this time of year. Just be aware that it's going to really change the color of your products. So keep that in mind when you're planning your scents and colors.

Have fun with it.

Lori

The only EOs I see on her site are under the garage sale items. Are these the ones you are talking about?

Yes, those are the ones, and i didn't realize they were garage sale - sorry. I got the ylang II (its great and you can't beat the price), bergamot, and rosewood.

I have to agree - Kelly is awesome. No one has mentioned her EO's yet but they rock and you can't beat her prices... you've got to get the bergamot

I just got a box from her today filled with lip balm supplies - she's got some unusual flavor oils, not just the regulars. Oh and her neon oxides are to die for!

Lori

I like 3 - i think that it would be the easiest to incorporate into a label and still be able to read your business name. The other one I like is 1 but think that it would have to be used much smaller- hence you'd loose the effect. I guess it all depends on what you want to include on your label. I would definately try to design a label with both shapes and see which one works best.

Lori

Hey Maryann - those look bee-utiful! I wonder if it was the tea that caused the seize as I soaped this a few months back and had no problems. Oh and it smells just as good now - two months old.

Lori

Thats so pretty maryann! And I like the 1/2 too - I just can't get a good grip on a round soap although they look pretty.

Lori

You have been busy, Girl :highfive: . They all look awesome.

Not to brag or anything, but I got one of her banana ones and it is da bomb!!

I had to hide it to let it cure awhile but after seeing it again, I'm gonna pull it out and use it in the morning

Lori

Awesome :highfive:

And WOW - 2 hrs! You're recipe is fast.

Lori

Hey Sheryl - I just had to go to your website to see this potatoe bag - very cool! It takes all kind.... At least you replied to her, I wouldn't have even wasted my time!

Lori

I guess each individual must decide how much they're willing to pay for their oils. I very much doubt that the suppliers are "merrily skipping off to the bank". Just as we can't be expected to "eat" a 10% increase in fo, neither should we expect the supplier to.

I am grateful to the suppliers that warn you about upcoming increases. I've gotten several in the last month or two. I got the notice of IFT's increase. These are the companies I will stick with, unlike Royal Aromatics who decided to increase their EO prices by a couple hundred percent WITHOUT notice.

I'm not just talking about one oil - it seems to be across the board. I'll do my best to steer clear of them!

Kerri, I wish you luck with your restaurant and store front. You'll be missed, but thank goodness your oils will still be available

Lori

I've never tried them but Tennesse candles is having a sample sale - all $1 each (put Jan. news in comment section). I've heard some good things about their oils.

Lori

Hi pooh

Check your yellow pages. I found it locally and it was cheap!! It's a huge roll, like 20 inches wide by like 100 feet for under $20. I think it was under paper products or shipping supplies. I just went down the list and called them all and and several places had it. good luck!

Lori

Had to chime in here - I just got the balsam fir from the natural artisan. I know, I had not heard of them either but OMG..... this stuff is to die for. I just got it last week and everyone that has smelled it has wanted some of this! They don't have a whole lot to choose from but the fo's I got were great and she sent FIVE samples with my order!! Great service.

Lori

On the advice of a few ct'ers - i just had to try their balsam fir. OMG .... it is absolutely beautiful. So natural, yet a little sweet. And man, does it have a great cold throw. Exactly what I was looking for. So glad I got a pound of it. I also got their frank and myrrh. It smells gooooood. I can't remember how close it is to Lebermuth but I remember not buying Lebermuths cuz it was just too darn expensive.

I also got 5 (yes I said five) smellies:D

Lavender Bergamot - almost ordered this but decided I could just mix my eo's to get this. Nope - this is nicer. Something else is in there to calm the lavender. Really nice

Brandied Pear - makes my mouth water.

Coconut Lime - Can smell both and it is so smooth. Would be a great summer soap

Jack Frost - This is a nice pepperminty one - nice and smooth. There's more to it just can't put my finger on it. I'm not much on mint though.

White Tea - super nice. I didn't order this cuz I have some from another supplier. I'll get this one next time. Would be great in soap and lotion and a yummy candle!

Don't cha just love it when you find such great smellin fo, and the service is awesome. It makes being a little poorer so much fun.

Lori

thanks Rae Ann - I think your descriptions are great. Just what I needed to make my decision. I mean, if I'm going to pay for shipping I might as well try out some other scents too

Lori

Rae Ann- I've been testing lots of pines lately for my diffusers and haven't found one I'm happy with since i need it to have a kick butt cold throw. Anyway, I want to try balsam fir but wanted to try a couple more for soaps. What is your oob opinion on the

white tea - is this on the sweet side

lavender berg - more lavender or berg?

lemon verbena - more flowery or lemony

frank & myrhh - I like lebermuths but it is pricey - do you know if this compares?

Thanks for any help!

Lori

PERFECT :highfive:

I have been looking for something that doesn't cost a bundle but hadn't come up with anything. I have a ton of these that I almost got rid of a few months ago. You da best!!

Lori

Thanks again crafty - I'll give your suggestion a go with the oils that you use. I'm ok with a little drag as long as it stays with me. Although a bit of IPM added with the fo and preservative would probably do the trick. I'll probably try it tonight - will let you know how it goes.

lori

Yes crafty - I've been trying to find/formulate a lotion recipe that is thick, rich and sticks with me. But am failing miserably. Since I like the bcn base I thought about going to that ingredient list for help but that just stumped me more. I can't believe the butters are so far down on the list.

Thanks for the suggestions - I will try to up my butters and use some shea instead of mostly cocoa. (Was trying to keep away from shea - I love the feel but it makes my face break out a little). I don't know that I've tried any with avacado oil either so will try that.

Any other suggestions???

my lotion. I have been so busy testing to find a lotion that I am satisfied with and have not had any luck. So I'm coming to the experts for help.

I like a lotion that sticks with you. If you have ever used victoria secrets lotion it smells good but seems to disappear as soon as you put it on. I really like how the lotion base from BCN "sticks with ya". It's not greasy but you definately know you've got it on.

So, does anyone know what group of ingredients or what single ingred. can be used to achieve this. The ingred in the bcn lotion base are:

water

propylene glycol (humectant)

glycerine (humectant)

glycol stearate (emulsifier)

stearic acid (emulsifier - thickner?)

cetyl alcohol (emolient)

aloe juice

isopropyl palmitate (helps with glide)

cocoa butter

shea

dimethicone (glide - helps with greasy feel)

triethanolamine

vit e

then a bunch of extracts

and preservatives

Is it the butters that were used or maybe the humectants. I thought that too much glycerine would be sticky - is that the same with the propyl. glycol?

Thanks for any help...

Lori

I feel better now too - knowing i'm not the only dingbat!! (just kiddin). My batch with ewax actually turned into lotion!! :highfive:Not what I was looking for though. I want a lotion that sticks with me and can't seem to figure out what ingredient (s) to add to get it that way. I'm going to post a question about it.

Lori

you get pko mixed up with ewax in lotions? IT DOESN'T WORK. How stupid am I?? They look totally different but just wasn't paying attention. Two batches of emuls. body butter and one batch of lotion later and I finally realized what happened!!

Ok, back to the kitchen. If I don't get it right this time I give up:o

Lori

Sorry Callybug - this was an old post. Looks like someone just wanted a review of how the scents worked in soy.

Lori